Laser support structure

Abstract

A laser support structure and method of mounting a laser in a module. The laser support structure is used in a laser module to support a laser in alignment with an optical fiber. The support structure comprises a frame having a base portion, and a mounting portion opposed to the base portion with a space therebetween. A dielectric layer to which the laser may be attached is suspended from the mounting portion and extends partially into the space between the mounting portion and the base portion. As the dielectric layer expands or contracts, it does so within the space between the mounting portion and the base portion with minimal displacement of the laser.

Claimed is:  
     
         1 . A laser support structure used in a laser module to support a laser in alignment with an optical fiber, the support structure comprising: 
 a frame having a base portion, and a mounting portion opposed to the base portion, with a space therebetween; and    a dielectric layer to which the laser may be attached, the dielectric layer suspended from the mounting portion and extending partially into the space between the mounting portion and the base portion;    wherein the dielectric layer can expand and contract within the space between the mounting portion and the base portion with minimal displacement of the laser such that the alignment of the laser and the optical fiber remains substantially constant.    
     
     
         2 . The laser support structure of  claim 1  wherein the space between the base and mounting portions is maintained by a frame support portion.  
     
     
         3 . The laser support structure of  claim 2  wherein the base portion comprises a substantially flat component, the support portion comprises one or more parts extending from a base portion surface and at an angle thereto, the mounting portion comprises a substantially flat component having a slot therein extending inward from an outer edge, the mounting portion supported by the one or more support parts and at an angle thereto such that the space is maintained between the mounting and base portions, wherein the dielectric layer spans the slot of the mounting portion and is attached to the mounting portion.  
     
     
         4 . The support structure of  claim 3  wherein the dielectric layer is attached to the mounting portion on a side of the mounting portion facing the base portion.  
     
     
         5 . The laser support structure of  claim 1  wherein the dielectric layer is soldered to the frame.  
     
     
         6 . The laser support structure of  claim 1  wherein the frame comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of metals and metal alloys.  
     
     
         7 . The laser support structure of  claim 1  further comprising a heat spreader attached to the dielectric layer.  
     
     
         8 . The laser support structure of  claim 7  wherein the heat spreader comprises a material selected from the group consisting of gold and copper.  
     
     
         9 . The laser support structure of  claim 1  wherein the frame is a single component.  
     
     
         10 . The laser support structure of  claim 1  used in a laser module having a fiber positioning component, wherein the coefficient of thermal expansion of the fiber positioning component differs from the coefficient of thermal expansion of the dielectric layer.  
     
     
         11 . The laser support structure of  claim 10  wherein the coefficients of thermal expansion differ by at least a factor of about 1.2.  
     
     
         12 . The laser support structure of  claim 11  wherein the coefficients of thermal expansion differ by at least a factor of about 1.1.  
     
     
         13 . A laser module comprising a laser support structure according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         14 . A semiconductor device comprising a laser module wherein the laser module comprises a laser support structure according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         15 . A method of mounting a laser in a module, wherein the laser is to be aligned with an optical fiber, the method comprising: 
 suspending a dielectric layer from a frame;    the frame having a base portion and a mounting portion opposed to the base portion, with a space therebetween;    the dielectric layer suspended partially into the space to allow expansion and contraction of the dielectric layer within the space such that the alignment of the laser and the fiber remains substantially constant.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising attaching a heat spreader to the dielectric layer.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the heat spreader comprises a material selected from the group consisting of gold and copper.